ANTHONY REYNOLDS - BRITISH BALLADS

(AU magazine December 2007)

(SPINNEY)

Following the break-up after just three albums of his band Jack, Reynolds is using the entire canvas of British Ballads to get his own picture across, and it's quite the masterpiece.
Tales of heartache and love lost are here painted in broad strokes, while literary ideals are intricately detailed. Reynolds has worked on the album with philosopher Colin Wilson, as well as chanteuses Dot Allison and Vashti Bunyan.
In truth, the sensitive balladry of Reynolds is a definite acqured taste. Expecting everyone to enjoy it would be like proposing Elliott Smith as acceptable support for System of a Down, where there is simply no common ground. But Reynolds has sneakily accomplished so much as a songwriter that his name should be spoken in the same hushed tones as Smith, or Richard Hawley - or any singer/songwriter with ability and sensitivity to override that of his peers.